Worship for Sunday 9th May 2021, by MWiB

Your local Easter Offering Service is
prepared by Methodist Women in
Britain on behalf of the World Mission
Fund. This act of worship enables
the Methodist Church in Britain and
Ireland to give to the work of our 65
partner churches overseas.

 

Call to worship

The psalmist writes:

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us,
that your way may be known upon earth,
your saving power among all nations.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with
equity and guide the nations upon earth.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.”
Psalm 67:1-5 (NRSV)

Introit

May be sung by the whole congregation or a choir.
StF 30 Jesus, stand among us (verses 1 and 2)

Welcome

Welcome to this Easter Offering service.

This year’s theme, ‘Into all the world’ is about journeys that people make:
some in obedience to God’s call on their lives and others because they had
no choice. The theme is inspired by this year being the 400th anniversary of
the Mayflower’s voyage and also the 260th anniversary of Methodist mission
which led to the founding of the Methodist Church in the Caribbean and
Americas (MCCA).

During this act of worship we shall dedicate the Easter Offering: all donations
go to the World Mission Fund of the Methodist Church in Britain. As we
listen to and reflect on journeys that people have made around the world
and through time, we will also consider our own journeys both physical and
spiritual, and seek guidance on the path God may be calling us to follow.

Hymn:  StF 21 Born in song!

Prayers of adoration and thanksgiving

Let us offer our praise and thanks to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Lord God, as we gather here in your presence, we give you glory and honour
and lift up your holy name. We bless you for all that you are and all that you
have done and continue to do amongst us.

Thank you for the journeys that have led us to this time and place and the way
you continue to call people to be reconciled to you. We thank you that you
have a plan and purpose for each of us and that you call us to offer our lives in
your service.

We are thankful for your promise that you will never leave us nor forsake us
and will be with us until the end of the age. Thank you that you are with us by
the power of the Holy Spirit and pray that through this act of worship we will
draw closer to you and be better equipped to serve you in all our journeying.
Amen.

Journey 1 – The Mayflower: a journey to escape persecution

Psalm 139

StF 835 O Lord, you have searched me out and known me

(responsive reading)

Journey 2 – The Revd Thomas Coke: a journey to preach the gospel

Hymn: StF 483 We are marching in the light of God

Prayer of confession

You are invited to join in the response in bold.
Lord Jesus Christ, you summon us to follow you day by day,
yet we confess that we have not always been obedient to your call.
We have honoured you with our lips but not been willing to take up our cross and walk the difficult path.

Lord of the journey:
Forgive us and help us to follow you.

We have been distracted and weighed down by the cares of this life and failed
to see those in need around us.

Lord of the journey:
Forgive us and help us to follow you.

We have forgotten to draw close to you for strength in our Christian walk.

Lord of the journey:
Forgive us and help us to follow you.

We have been self-sufficient and not asked for help along the way from
our sisters and brothers.

Lord of the journey:
Forgive us and help us to follow you.

We have become desensitised to those around us who travel because of
difficult circumstances.

Lord of the journey:
Forgive us and help us to follow you.

We have forgotten to be thankful for those who have walked the Christian
road before us and upon whose foundations we now build.

Lord of the journey:
Forgive us and help us to follow you.

Lord, forgive us when we have not walked the path to which we are
called and help us to be obedient to your call on our lives as we seek to
fulfil your good, pleasing and perfect will for us.

Thank you that you have promised in your word that if we confess our
sin, you are faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.
Amen.

Journey 3 – Dorothy Ripley: a journey to speak out for justice

Hymn: StF 518 Father, hear the prayer we offer

Journey 4 – Tommy and Mabel: a journey to earn a living

Reading: Genesis 12:1-5

Journey 5 – Angleena Keizer: a journey to bring God’s peace

Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Reflection (optional)

Journeys

Prayers of intercession

You are invited to join in the response in bold.

Reader 1
Brings a globe or map of the world.
We pray for those who journey in our world. For those who have travelled far
from home to bring the light of Jesus… For those who have been forced to
leave their homes because of conflict, economic need or natural disasters.

Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

Reader 2
Brings a map of the UK or something that represents welcome.
We pray for those who have journeyed to the United Kingdom from other
parts of the world… For those who seek to help people settle into their new
environment… We pray that we will always offer a welcome to those who
move amongst us… We pray for our leaders locally and nationally that they
will govern with wisdom and compassion.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

Reader 3
Brings a chain or paper chain.
We pray for our Christian sisters and brothers who are persecuted for their
faith – especially in countries where persecution is severe… We pray for those
forced to flee from persecution and those who are separated from their loved
ones.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

Reader 4
Brings a map of your village, town or city or guide book to the area.
We pray for those in our community… We pray that as your Church we will be
salt and light as we reach out to our neighbours with your love. We pray for
the various businesses, community groups and organisations represented in
our area.
Lord in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.

Reader 5
Brings a pair of walking boots.
We pray for individuals known to us who journey through difficult times…
For those who find the path of life to be rocky, lonely or frightening. May we
show your love to those around us and walk the road with them in prayer and
practical support.

We thank you that you hear and answer our prayers both spoken and
unspoken. We lift all our prayers to you now in the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
(Use whichever version is most familiar to you).

Hymn: StF 662 Have you heard God’s voice

We say together:
Lord as you have called people throughout the years to journey
with you, we ask you now to bless this money and those who have
given it. May these gifts for the World Mission Fund be used wisely
to enable the love of Jesus to be made known.
We pray for those who journey to work with our Partner Churches
as they bring glory to your name and seek to establish your
kingdom around the world. We pray that with them we too may
be obedient to your call on our lives wherever that may lead us.
Amen.

Response activity

(Optional)
Meditation on the journey

Hymn: StF 407 Hear the call of the kingdom

Blessing

As we leave this place to continue our journey with God, hear the
words of Jesus:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching
them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember,
I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 (NRSV)

If you would like to read the full stories of Journeys 1-5 used in this service, and view their
accompanying photographs, please go to the Methodist Women in Britain website at www.mwib.org.uk

Find the full print version of this order of service at: order-of-service-english-large-print.pdf (methodist.org.uk)